Letters -- Published Feb. 12, 2013

Tuesday

Feb 12, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Wayne LaPierre, speaking recently before a group of gun manufacturers, explained the need for military assault weapons in society as being necessary to resist the establishment of a tyrannical federal government.

Wayne LaPierre, speaking recently before a group of gun manufacturers, explained the need for military assault weapons in society as being necessary to resist the establishment of a tyrannical federal government.

During the presidential campaign, Rep. Michele Bachmann asserted that they might have to resort to "a Second Amendment solution" if they weren't successful politically.

Rock musician Ted Nugent has declared the Obama administration a tyrannical government and stated that he and "some of his buddies" are prepared to assist in his overthrow.

The question that comes to my mind when I hear this sort of rhetoric is why does it always come from the far right, never from the center or the left? When has anyone ever heard of a left-wing militia running around the woods practicing military tactics to prepare for opposing a tyrannical federal government?

If this truly is their rationale for needing assault weapons, shouldn't they also be accumulating some helicopter gunships, tanks, artillery, tactical nuclear weapons, etc., if they are going to take on the most powerful military the world has ever seen? And after they are successful, what sort of government are Wayne, Michele and Ted going to establish? Will it be an enlightened, inclusive government open to a wide range of views, or will they impose an extreme right-wing agenda on the American people?

Just asking.

Mick Stockard

Valley Springs

In my humble opinion, we are looking for solutions in the wrong places regarding gun violence. The problem is not with the law-abiding citizens who are causing problems by owning any type of guns. The solution lies in going after any person who uses a gun in the commission of crime, no matter what.

I wonder how long it would take for all those criminals out there to wake up to find themselves in prison for life if they use a gun for any crime? Better yet, maybe if the crime results in a death, they should face the death penalty without appeal.

Let's get real. We need to crack down as hard as possible on these idiots who have no regard for other decent human beings trying to raise our families and make a living.

Lee Dovichi

Stockton

We live in a world of contradiction - where many obsessed with "the right to life" are often the loudest proponents of unrestricted access to weapons of death. Where many who are appalled at the carnage of an Aurora or Sandy Hook look for relief from the horror of it by switching channels to watch favorite shows based on murder, rape and brutality.

We find it painful to watch real-life tragedies unfolding on CNN, but love the movies, TV shows and video games where things get blown up - where there's lots of yelling and bashing and people getting shot.

We love the "visuals" of violence, don't we? Just not the reality.

Is there not a connection somewhere between the terror on our streets and the terror we invite into our homes? Will there ever come a time in America when the violent termination of human life -whether depicted on film, TV, or video games - becomes so abhorrent that it stops being "exciting" to watch? Not likely.

We live in a world of contradiction where "Viewer Discretion Advised" is just a teaser.

Charles F. Barnard

Stockton

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It's Division I basketball and the tickets are very reasonably priced. Parking is a minimal charge. Both teams are at the top of the standings in the Big West, so it makes it fun to follow the success of our city's university.